Home Visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10:00.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls

You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

Appointments

Consultations are by appointment and can be booked in person and over the telephone during opening hours or online via the link at the top of this page.

If you would like to use the online services you will need to complete the application form and bring it into the surgery along with two forms of identification, one being photographic identification and one proof of address i.e., bank statement. You will then be given a user name and password. Please note, you must be aged 16 or over to use this service.

If you are already registered for our online services click here to book or cancel an appointment.

If you would like to make an online request then click here 

URGENT Appointments

If you feel that you need an urgent appointment, please ring the surgery on 01204 795170 and explain this to the receptionist.  You will then be triaged and given the most appropriate advice or appointment.  If you feel that your problem is an emergency you should dial 999.

ROUTINE Appointments

Routine appointments can be made online if you are registered for online services by clicking the link above or by ringing the surgery during opening hours on 01204 795170.

Extended Hours

We also have late surgeries on Wednesday and Thursday evenings for patients who are working and would like an appointment before or after work. These are by strict appointment only and can be arranged by the reception staff.

Online consultations

We now offer an online consultation to our patients.  You will submit your online consultation and you will be contacted usually within 48 hours.  This service should not be used for urgent appointments. Please click the following link.

 https://www.online-consult.co.uk/org/fig-tree-medical-practice

Practice Nurses

In a number of cases it might be worth considering an appointment with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many conditions and you may be seen more quickly.

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.

For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced).

Bolton GP Surgeries - Evening & Weekend Appointments